Disney tops the CSR Index

The Walt Disney Company takes top honors in the Boston College - Reputation Institute 2009 CSR Index.

The Boston College Center for Citizenship and Reputation Institute released the 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Index and the Walt Disney Company tops the 50-company list. More than 200 companies with a major presence in the U.S. market were surveyed on their corporate citizenship, governance, and workplace practices.

According to a release published on organization’s website, “While the overall reputation of the American business sector has been tarnished with a broad brush, many individual companies still stand out as responsible leaders in the eyes of the public,” said Chris Pinney, director of research and policy at the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. “To build a reputation as a leader in corporate social responsibility, companies should focus on strong governance practices, positive working conditions, and a commitment to supporting the needs of communities and the environment.” Source: Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship

The survey ranked companies on a scale of 1 to 100 and although the Walt Disney Company garnered the top spot, the company only scored a 79.52.

Other companies included in the top 10 include:

Microsoft

Google

Honda of America

Johnson & Johnson

PepsiCo.

General Mills

Kraft Foods

Campbell Soup Company

FedEx

In March, the Walt Disney Company released its new corporate social responsibility plan. In Mickey Mouse is going green, MNN Family Blogger Jenn Savedge reports that part of the company’s plans are specific to the theme parks including a 50 percent reduction in emissions and garbage.

Bill Gates, the head of Microsoft, has also recently made news for his environmental focus. Last week, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced $120 million in grants dedicated to sustainable agriculture projects in developing countries in Africa as well as in India.